The present theses has the objective of analyzing Santo Daime’s “mirações” on a psycho-social focus. Based on social representation theory and social psychology, an analysis of the altered state of consciousness know as “miração”, which is a result of the ritualistic use of the Santo Daime tea, will be made . A qualitative research methodology was used, which involved extensive bibliographical research, as well as semi-structured interviews with members of the daimist group known as Cefluris, or “linha do Padrinho Sebastião”. Based on this material, an analysis was made such as to better understand the “miração” articulated with the social practices and the doctrine’s members speech. The Daime is a relatively small religion, with few followers, but one which draws attention of several research areas for the reason of having as a central point the experience of the tea with psychoactive properties, and also to a series of ecumenist, popular and ecological practices and speeches. Also in focus is the relation with other religions and knowledge, which, during the course of History, articulate the human being with the so called Master Plants, or entheogen plants. The social psychology and the study of religions can, without a doubt, contribute a lot to widen the comprehension in this area of great importance to the contemporaneous world.

Bia Labate (Beatriz Caiuby Labate)

has a PhD in Anthropology. Her main areas of interest are the study of psychoactive substances, drug policies, shamanism, ritual and religion. She is author, co-author and co-editor of twelve books, one journal special edition and several peer-reviewed articles. Subscribe to this site’s companion newsletter, which covers the author’s writings, the universe of ayahuasca and psychoactive substances in general, legislation on drugs, important conferences and activities in the field. Postings are in English or Portuguese and typically appear once a month.

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NEIP - Interdisciplinary Group for Psychoactive Studies - was founded in 2001 in Brazil. It is a group that unites scholars from various institutions in Brazil and abroad to promote reflection on the topic of psychoactive substances. It seeks to participate in public debate about drug policy, which is normally dominated by ill-informed and prejudiced perspectives, and insists that the Human Sciences have an important role to play in broadening and deepening this debate. In as far as NEIP understands contemporary international prohibitionist policy to stifle debate and reflection, it adopts an anti-prohibitionist political and ethical stance. NEIP thus promotes simultaneously research activity, intellectual exchange, and political intervention.

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Make a donation and help my work to continue.

Bia Labate (Beatriz Caiuby Labate)

has a PhD in Anthropology. Her main areas of interest are the study of psychoactive substances, drug policies, shamanism, ritual and religion. She is author, co-author and co-editor of seventeen books, one journal special edition and several peer-reviewed articles. Subscribe to this site’s companion newsletter, which covers the author’s writings, the universe of ayahuasca and psychoactive substances in general, legislation on drugs, important conferences and activities in the field. Postings are in English or Portuguese and typically appear once a month.